Legal Aid Queensland (LAQ) is mourning the loss of colleague and friend Kate Volk, who passed away on 18 May after a brief battle with cancer.
Kate was LAQ Assistant Director, Regional Services and Business Partnerships, and had spend almost three decades connected to the agency.
In a social media post, LAQ stated: “Kate committed her career to providing access to justice for vulnerable people, particularly those living in rural and regional areas of our state. Her career at Legal Aid Queensland (LAQ) began in 1996 when she took up a role as an administrative officer at the Caboolture office.
“After completing her articles, she worked in private practice as a LAQ preferred supplier, including as principal of her own firm, before returning to LAQ in 2011 to take up a role as a lawyer in Criminal Law Services.
“Kate went on to become the principal lawyer in our Solicitor Advocates team for six years, before moving to the Department of Justice and Attorney-General as a legal officer in the Courts Policy and Procedure Legal Unit. Kate moved back to LAQ in 2018 as Manager, Regional Services and Business Partnerships before being permanently appointed as Assistant Director, Regional Services and Business Partnerships in July 2023.”
LAQ pointed to Kate’s various roles, including being an executive member of the Queensland Council for Civil Liberties, and a volunteer lawyer at the LGBTI Legal Service from 2015-17.
“She was an extremely dedicated and beloved member of LAQ and will be greatly missed.”
Women’s Legal Services Queensland (WLSQ) stated in its post: “With deep sadness, we acknowledge the passing of Kate Volk, a cherished member of our community, after a brief battle with cancer.
“Kate was on the Women’s Legal Service Queensland Management Committee for five years, including her tenure as President from 2014-2015. She was a dedicated volunteer lawyer in the CLC sector and a long-term senior team member of Legal Aid Queensland.
“Kate’s commitment to justice and equality was inspiring. Her passion, dedication, and kindness touched the lives of many.”
Friends are invited to attend a memorial service and celebration of Kate’s life, at Hillstone St Lucia, Carawa Street, Brisbane, starting at 11am, on Friday, 31 May.
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